CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A man armed with a pistol opened fire on students at a North Carolina university during the last day of classes Tuesday, killing two people and wounding four, police said. Officers who had gathered ahead of a campus concert raced over and disarmed the suspect.

The shooting prompted a lockdown at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and caused widespread panic across campus as students scrambled to take shelter.

“Just loud bangs. A couple loud bangs and then we just saw everyone run out of the building, like nervous, like a scared run like they were looking behind,” said Antonio Rodriguez, 24, who was visiting campus for his friend’s art show.

Campus Police Chief Jeff Baker said authorities received a call around 4:40 p.m. that a suspect armed with a pistol had shot several students. He said officers assembling nearby for a concert rushed to the classroom building and arrested the gunman in the room where the shooting took place. Authorities did not immediately release the suspect’s identity.

He said two people were killed, and three remained in critical condition late Tuesday. He said a fourth person’s injuries were less serious. Students were among the victims, but officials would not say how many.

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Family members and friends wait for their loved ones at a staging area after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - At least two people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at the University of North Carolina's Charlotte campus, staff and local media reported. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

Students and faculty file out of buildings during a lockdown after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

Police keeps the campus on lockdown after a shooting at the University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

Students and faculty file out of buildings with their hands up during a lockdown after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

Family members and friends wait for their loved ones at a staging area after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - At least two people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at the University of North Carolina's Charlotte campus, staff and local media reported. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

A police officer guides traffic as students and faculty file out of buildings during a lockdown after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

People gather across from the campus of University of North Carolina at Charlotte after a shooting at the school Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Charlotte, N.C. The school shooting left at least a few people dead and several wounded Tuesday, prompting a lockdown and chaotic scene in the state's largest city. Jason E. Miczek, AP

A student sits under a tree after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

A medic walks between police cars after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

Students and faculty wait near the entrance of campus after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

Students and faculty file out of buildings with their hands up during a lockdown after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

Students and faculty file out of buildings with their hands up during a lockdown after a shooting on the campus of University of North Carolina Charlotte in University City, Charlotte, on April 30, 2019. - Six people were shot, two of them died on the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus. One person was taken into custody, according to police sources. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images

A University of North Carolina, Charlotte campus police officer carries a tactical shield after a shooting Tuesday afternoon, April 30, 2019, in Charlotte, N.C. The shooting on the campus left at least a few people dead and several wounded Tuesday, prompting a lockdown and chaotic scene in the state's largest city. John Simmons, AP

Emergency vehicles cluster on Mary Alexander Road on the campus of University of North Carolina at Charlotte after a shooting Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Charlotte, N.C. The shooting on the campus left at least a few people dead and several wounded Tuesday, prompting a lockdown and chaotic scene in the state's largest city. John Simmons, AP

Monifa Drayton, an adjunct professor, was walking onto campus when she heard the shots. She said she directed students fleeing the scene to take cover inside a parking deck.

“I heard one final gunshot and I saw all the children running toward me,” she said. “We started to get all the children pulled into the second floor of the parking deck and the rationale was if we’re in the parking deck and there’s a shooter and we don’t know where he is, he won’t have a clear shot.”

She added: “My thought was, I’ve lived my life, I’ve had a really good life, so, these students deserve the same. And so, whatever I could do to help any child to safety, that’s what I was going to do.”

Shortly after UNC Charlotte issued a campus lockdown, aerial shots from local television news outlets showed police officers running toward a building, while another view showed students running on a campus sidewalk.

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Susan Harden, an UNCC professor and Mecklenburg County Commissioner, was at home when she heard of the shooting. She went to a staging area, she said, to provide support.

Harden said she has taught inside the Kennedy building, where the shootings occurred.

“It breaks my heart. We’re torn up about what’s happened,” Harden said. “Students should be able to learn in peace and in safety and professors ought to be able to do their jobs in safety.”

Cooper said at a briefing late Tuesday that a “hard look” was needed into how the shooting happened and how to keep guns off campus and out of schools.

“A student should not have to fear for his or her life when they are on our campuses,” the Democrat said. “Parents should not have to worry about their students when they send them off to school. And I know that this violence has to stop. … In the coming days we will take a hard look at all of this to see what we need to do going forward.”